Most self starters miss out on some of the basics of instructor assisted flying.  There are quite a few of the basic maneuvers and of course, the "emergency" procedures that you probably have not been exposed to.  </p>

I always recommend doing dead-stick recovery practice.. in as many situations as possible.  Meaning, go downwind and pull the throttle to idle and land it without touching the throttle.  Do the same thing upwind.  Then pick a spot, an unlikely spot, like perhaps just as you turn out from take off and run the throttle to idle and see if you can get it a point where it will land safely.   You don't have to land it, just bring it in for a safe approach and what would be a successful recovery, then add throttle and go around.   Do these several times for your first tank of the day.  It never hurts because those dead sticks will happen at the most inopportune time.</p>

There's lots you can do, as mentioned above.  Doing aerobatic maneuvers is easy.  Doing them in a "pattern", meaning exit one maneuver with the intent of setting up for a perfect approach into the next one.  Anyone can go to the far left, accelerate, then do a Immelaman or a stall turn, but setting up after doing a perfect loop or a four point roll is the tough part.  Doing a slow roll, where the plane takes the entire length to roll one time is both difficult to do and is as pretty a maneuver as you can do.</p>

Keep at it is the point here.  </p>

CGr.</p>